Clear braces are always the first choice among people who need orthodontic braces to correct any misalignment or unwanted teeth protrusion. The reason is simple. They serve the cosmetic alternative to unsightly metal braces by being inconspicuous when you smile. They blend with the natural color of the teeth by being transparent enough so they don’t show. Typically, clear braces are made of clear hard plastic or ceramics that follow the teeth color. Bottom line, they work on the same principle as traditional metal braces. Here are some clear brace products from various orthodontic companies. Other than having a slight difference in chemistry, clear braces are sized differently with some bracket types slightly bigger than others. In addition, the shading of clear braces varies with some having crystal transparency while others have a pearl-white shade.
CLARITY CLEAR BRACES
from 3M Unitek popular among dentists as they have the efficacy of metal braces and the cosmetic allure of a translucent bracket which have metal slots that allow the wire to slide freely to attain excellent tooth movements.
INSPIRE ICE CLEAR BRACES
From Ormco are crystal clear ceramic brackets that claim to be the only truly transparent low-profile bracket on the market which means they don’t stand out compared with other clear braces. In addition to aesthetics, Inspire Ice Clear Braces claim to be incredibly comfortable because of the smooth design.
INVU CLEAR BRACES
from TP Orthodontics are less bulky than other clear braces but combine translucent aesthetics with the strength of metal braces making them more durable. They don’t chip or shatter as other clear braces do. They also use white wires to make them more inconspicuous.
LUXI CLEAR BRACES
From Rocky Mountain Orthodontics have gold metal slots on the clear brackets for the wire to slide, unlike most other clear brace products that use silver slots. Luxi braces offer the great look of clear braces with the functionality of metal braces. RMO created this system to benefit the patient with reduced time spent in treatment, less friction, and they claim to debond very easily.
MYSTIQUE CLEAR BRACES
from GAC International boast of an optimum level of translucence that allows the ceramic brackets to blend with the natural teeth color. Instead of metal slots, silica lining that’s virtually invisible is used resulting in one of the most pleasant looking braces on the market.
PURE CLEAR BRACES
from Ortho Technology are made using clear sapphire brackets which are stain resistant and despite the stainless wires used, offer an excellent cosmetic alternative to metal braces.
RADIANCE CLEAR BRACES
from American Orthodontics use sapphire crystal brackets that have been honed and heat polished for utmost clarity and stain resistance. Using clear wires, they are the most inconspicuous of all clear braces. From a distance, these clear braces can look pretty much identical, with only slight variations. Those using clear or white ties have the least visibility while clear brackets using metal slots and stainless ties get to be more noticeable.
The main criterion is that they accomplish their goal. Clear braces, however, are known to have higher friction making them more brittle than metal braces which can make removing them at the end of treatment more laborious. Most orthodontists often order their brace kits from their favorites orthodontic suppliers. So if you have set your preference on a particular brand, your dentist may not have it, offering instead, another brand.